Tag Archives: iPhone Accessories

The line goes: "with great power comes great responsibility." But in the case of Kensington's latest iPhone 5 desktop charger, great power just comes with great versatility. The AbsolutePower USB dock is the leading accessory maker's newest Apple charging dock. But it's also quite possibly one of the best accessories of its kind.

A lot of thought has been put into the design of this Apple desktop charger. For starters, it's sleek and compact, so it'll take up a minimal amount of space on your desk at home or at work. And its non-slip case means that it won't be sliding all over the place either. And if you're in a hurry, you don't even need to worry about removing your phone from its case.

But that's hardly the coolest thing about this iPhone accessory. And we at Pure Mobile have a hunch that it's called the AbsolutePower USB dock because it's one charger to rule them all.

Sure, it works great as desktop iPhone charger. But thanks to its USB to AC power adapter, it's easy to convert it into a portable charger that draws power via USB rather than a wall outlet. And since it's so compact, it's really easy to just toss this charge and sync stand into your bag and take it to go.

So, aside from doubling as a stand for face-time chats, and a desktop charger and syncer for multiple Apple devices, it's also a portable charger. It kind of makes you wonder if there's anything this iPhone dock doesn't do.

After knowing what Kensington's latest can do, it seems pretty clear that the AbsolutePower USB Dock is among the best iPhone docks – and maybe even the best iPhone accessories – to come our way in some time.

New iPhone 5S and entry-level iPhone rumored to come in different colors

The biggest story of the week in mobile tech is hands-down the collection of rumors surrounding Apple's upcoming iPhone 5S and cheap, entry-level iPhone. There's no solid proof to support or deny anything yet. But, there's already been talk of possible new colors, a date for unveiling, and even size options, which would of course mean a whole range of fun new gadgets and accessories for iPhone's next incarnations.

The first rumor, that of possible production and unveiling dates comes from a pretty reputable source, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ). They reported recently that Apple is planning to begin production of the new iPhone "in the second quarter of this year," or sometime between now and June.

They also allude to the upcoming iPhone 5S as "similar in size and shape to its current one." So maybe Apple isn't going to make you ditch your iPhone 5 cases just yet, as you had to do with the upgrade from the 4s.

Meanwhile, the WSJ says that Apple is still working with parteners in Asia on making a cheaper version of the iPhone, a 4-inch device that "that could be launched as soon as the second half of this year." They also say that the "cheap" iPhone may be available in different colors.

But people are also speculating that the iPhone 5S, as well as the rumored entry-level iPhone, will be available in different colors. Citing Macotakara, 9to5Mac reported that the iPhone 5S could be launching in up to three additional colors, as well as standard black and white.

And though the report from the WSJ left us hopeful that maybe some of our current iPhone 5 cases could convert as accessories for iPhone 5S, a report from BGR says the iPhone 5S will likely be available in at least two, if not three different screen sizes. So we really can't be sure until Apple decides it's time to let the cat out of the bag.

Sometimes you can find earth-shattering new technology on Kickstarter, gadgets so revolutionary, they change the way we think about tech. Other times, it's just a case a of a good, simple idea that fills a need. Definitely not a work of genius, the FlipGrip, a new multi-function iPhone carrying case falls into the latter category.

That's not to say that this iPhone accessory isn't a worthwhile Kickstarter project. Sure, there are already plenty of iPhone cases and skins out there. But the FlipGrip does have a simple yet practical twist that'll let you keep a handle on your phone – literally.

Its design centers around a unique, multi-function handle that acts as both a grip and multi-position stand. Why should you need a handle for your phone, you might ask? Well, you may have already found yourself in the same position that led the FlipGrip's creator to make the case in the first place:

"FlipGrip was born out of the necessity to get a better "GRIP" on my smartphone. One day while lying in bed reading the news, the idea hit me!"

And so the FlipGrip was created, a protective plastic iPhone carrying case with a handle that doubles as a stand but which can snap shut to rest flush with the case when it's not in use.

See what we mean about simple and practical ideas being worth their while? And though the current FlipGrip prototype is a model for iPhone 4/4S, models for other iOS devices, like iPhone 5 and iPad carrying cases, are on their way.

On top of that, FlipGrip says theu'll be applying the same concept to cases for "other popular devices from Samsung, Google, Amazon and Microsoft in early 2013."

Sure, the FlipGrip is hardly revolutionary in terms of iPhone accessories. But sometimes it's less important whether you're doing something someone else has done before, as long as you're doing it better.

In our mobile accessory of the week feature, we often review practical and handy accessories that simplify your daily life. But this week, we've left the grown-up world behind to focus instead on a fun new gadget that'll make you feel like a kid again, with a spotlight on Griffin's Moto TC Monster Truck.

It doesn't matter whether you're 5 or 55, this remote controlled truck is pretty hard to resist. And it'll probably be the coolest piece of tech to hit your life since the iPhone, iPad or iPod you use to control it. Just imagine ripping down the office hallway with this thing or tearing up the living room, and you'll get the picture.

Griffin's Moto TC Monster Truck for iPhone, iPad and iPod

Basically, this awesome little gadget works by using your iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch as a remote, via a free app that lets you "wreak havoc," from your touchscreen.

Definitely not the remote-controlled car of your childhood, the controls for this baby are pretty sweet: You can maneuver by touch, using a virtual steering wheel, or by motion, when you tilt your device to steer. Or, slide your fingers across your display to direct the truck.

You can even pre-program routes, like figure-eights and track loops or "record your own trail of destruction and relive the madness."

As for specs, this is one truck that's designed to go anywhere. It's got a high-clearance chassis with knobby tires and four-wheel independent suspension. And you don't have to worry about batteries, since it's powered by an internal rechargeable NiMH battery pack.

Sure, it may not be a total necessity for your responsible, adult life. But this awesome little truck is one of the most fun and coolest accessories for iPhone (or any other device for that matter) that you can find. As its maker Griffin aptly notes: "Anyone can fling birds at pigs. But do you have what it takes to tame the Moto TC Monster?"

The iEqualizer case for iPhone 5: a kind of silly and pretty useless accessory

Here on the Pure Mobile blog, we like to bring you news about the best gadgets, including the coolest iPhone accessories we can find. We've seen all kinds of iPhone cases and skins in our day, from typical protective gear to more out there designs. Many are good in their own right. But hey, they can't all be winners.

Case in point: the iEqualizer case for iPhone 5 from Strapya World. To be honest, we aren't really sure why Mashable thought this silly and impractical case was worth writing up at all.

In fact, we don't even know why we're talking about it right now, except maybe to prove the point that we've perhaps gone a little too far with our mobile accessories.

The idea behind the iEqualizer iPhone 5 case is that it slaps a sound "equalizer" on the back that does a little light show in response to noise. Ok, sort of cool, I guess. But, as it turns out, the thing's not even a true equalizer.

As Mashable points out, "each of the bars isn't reacting to specific frequencies. Nay, it's just the whole array of blinkenlights reacting to any sound nearby." So, like, whatever.

That on its own isn't enough to really kill this case as a conceptual accessory. Yes, a light-up case could look pretty cool in a dark night club. But if it's just for show, we'd at least expect this iPhone case to look cool over all. But it doesn't.

This total disaster of an accessory actually adds a ton of bulk to your phone, making its thickness almost double. And, to make matters worse, it's got an idiotic-looking plastic appendage at the top, which Mashable says works as on on/off switch.

Seriously? They couldn't think of a way to integrate a button that performs the same function?

Why anyone would dream this up when there are so many great and great-looking iPhone 5 accessories already on the market is beyond us. Except the obvious attempt at a cash-grab, we can't even explain why this piece of garbage exists.

Most of us aren't likely to ever find ourselves trekking through the Australian Outback, or on expedition through the forests of the Congo. But if you do happen to be a globetrotting rugged adventurer, yes, there is an iPhone accessory for that.

An iPhone case like no other, Thuraya's SatSleeve Case connects with Thuraya's satellite network to ensure that you'll be able to make a call, even when in very remote locations. Their network covers 140 countries in Europe, Africa, Asia, the middle East and Australia. That's a pretty handy survival tool should you find yourself stuck in a rough spot without reception.

The SatSleeve is also an iPhone external battery case, which means it'll extend your iPhone's battery life so you'll have enough power to place a call if you need to.

And even if your iPhone isn't working, the case itself is equipped with a microphone and speaker, as well as an emergency call button – you program an emergency phone number into it beforehand – so you're still not out of reach even in the stickiest situations.

The case has obvious applications for military personnel, as well as corporate workers based in remote locations. But it's also probably one of the best iPhone accessories we've seen yet for adventurers and outdoorsy types. With the Sat Sleeve, Thuraya has provided rugged globetrotters with an iPhone case in keeping with their motto of "stay close." Just try not to think of the roaming charges...

It's kind of a new thing that people are talking about cell phone accessories, like carrying cases and skins, in terms of fashion and trends. But right now, animal prints and motifs are big. And we've put together a list of our top 5 iPhone accessories in animal patterns, one of the season's biggest trends.

Among the best and coolest in this category are Griffin and Incase carrying cases for iPhone 4S and iPhone 5. It's odd that just two accessories makers made our list, but hey, some brands are just more style-conscious than others. Read on for the coolest skins and cases inspired by the wild kibgdom:

1. Griffin's Moxy Cat Carrying Case for iPhone 5 in pink and Black

Griffin Moxy Cat Case for iPhone 5 in Pink and Black

Definitely designed with the fashionista in mind, this model features a jungle-inspired leopard print in always fashionable black with hot pink accents. Underneath the cool look though, you'll find this case has two layers of protection, all with easy access to screen, ports, camera and controls. Me-ow!

2. Griffin Moxy Python Carrying Case for iPhone 5 in Black

Griffin Moxy Python Case for iPhone 5 in Black

Animal prints drawn from the big cats have always been a fixture of fashion, but more recently snakes and lizards have been a top trend too. Get that cool reptilian look with Griffin's Moxy Python Case with a textured pattern of large, black scales. It's wickedly cool.

3. Griffin Moxy Python Carrying Case for iPhone 5 in Red

Griffin Moxy Python Case for iPhone 5 in Red

For a slightly more delicate snakeskin look, the textured pattern on the Griffin Moxy Python Case in Red is a little more intricate and dainty. Still wild at heart, it combines one of the biggest trends of the season with a hot red punch of color.

4. Incase Animal SnapCase for iPhone 4S in White

Incase Animal SnapCase for iPhone 4S in Striped White

When it comes to the animal print craze, all animals are fair game, and this white Incase carrying case snaps on for zebra-inspired statement. The overall color combo of this wild and stripey model makes for a slightly subtler statement than some of the other accessories in our top 5. So it's a way to rock this trend without making too loud of a splash.

5. Incase Animal SnapCase for iPhone 4S in Red

Incase Animal SnapCase for iPhone 4S in Striped Red

And from there, we go straight to the big guns, with the red-n-red Animal SnapCase from Incase. WIth a bold tiger print, and hot, attention-grabbing color combo, this iPhone 4 carrying Case is not for the faint of heart. Flashy, and wild, it's the epitome of what animal prints are all about.

In terms of iPhone accessories, these top 5 animal-inspired cases are among the coolest and trendiest. But more importantly, Griffin and Incase are both brands we can trust as far as practicality and protection goes. So you can be sure your phone won't just look good, it'll be in good hands.

Oh, no! You're out for the day but forgot your iPhone charging cable at home. The only way anything in your wallet is going to help you now is if you head to the nearest electronics store and pick up an extra Apple phone charger, right?

Not necessarily, if you've got a ChargeCard. Gizmodo and Mashable reported this week on a new product which originally popped up on Kickstarter but has since found enough funding to start shipping some models.

The credit card-shaped Apple accessory works like a USB data cable for iPhone 4 or iPhone 5. But, at the thickness of about three regular credit cards, it conveniently fits in your wallet, so you're likely to have it on you at all times.

For the time being, the makers of the ChargeCard are only starting to ship microUSB and iPhone 4 dock connector models. but they've also got a lightning version for iPhone 5 in the works, as well as models for BlackBerry and Android phones.

We're not saying that the ChargeCard will totally replace your other iPhone chargers. Obviously, it serves quite a different purpose than, say, an iPhone desktop charger. And, unlike your traditional Apple cable charger, which you can use at any outlet, the ChargeCard needs a USB port to work.

But it's still a clever accessory and, at its cheap $25 price tag, it's an iPhone accessory that's totally worth it, even as just a backup way of extending battery life.

The clear back of Griffin's Reveal Case for iPhone 5 allows the perfect opportunity for embellishment

Hey crafty crafters out there, a new DIY trend is sweeping cell phone accessories – easy, custom iPhone cases or skins that take just minutes. If you're looking to turn your iPhone 5 into a one of a kind statement or show off your artistic talent, all you need is some creativity and a clear-backed iPhone 5 case. We like Griffin's Reveal Case for iPhone 5 because it's tough and comes in a variety of different colored borders.

Start with paper, scissors and exacto. Image courtesy of PharMa.

Start with your clear iPhone case and whatever you want to put as the layer that shows between your phone and the case's shell. Using a piece of paper cut to the dimensions of your phone is probably simplest, but we've seen people online do this project with everything from lace doilies to feathers.

Of course, even with flat printed materials, there's a world of options. from a cool roadmap for the eternal globetrotter, to personal photos, decorative gift paper, and even collage for the skilled artists out there. The result is a completely unique iPhone 5 case with handcrafted look that says something personal about you.

Use a favorite photograph or decorative craft or gift paper. Image courtesy of Shelterness.

If you're using anything that's remotely 3D, you may want to glue it to a cut-to-measure piece of paper anyway, to keep it in place, depending on the material. Again, Griffin's clear-backed Reveal Case for iPhone 5 is a good choice here since it'll give you a nice snug fit that won't allow your personalized layer to move around too much.

We're loving the versatility of this cool new trend, which will allow you to get as many looks as you want, as often as you want, from a single iPhone 5 accessory. You'll be able to switch up you cover for special events (think team logos for a big sporting event or solid colored paper to match your evening outfit.)

A little ingenuity and a couple of minutes will give you a totally unique look.

To get exact instructions on this trend, you can check out PharMa's article on DIY Intergangeable iPhone covers, but a quick Google search and a little ingenuity should see you through this quick and easy project.

And, at the cost of most clear-backed iPhone 5 cases – Griffin's Reveal Case is around the $20 mark, but Pure Mobile's actually got it on sale at the moment – this is a DIY phone case project that's as cheap as it is fun and easy. If you find yourself inspired, let us know about your own craft project in the comments section below.

Back in January, we at Pure Mobile were following all the hottest news in mobile accessories with the 2013 Consumer Electronics Show. And among the emergent trends was an iPhone case that was as nostalgic as it was novel.

Mobile accessories maker Smallworks showed off a series of LEGO iPhone cases they had in the works, including some elaborate models, like space ships and dinosaurs.

But another mobile accessories label, Belkin, also had their own LEGO-themed buildable iPhone cases out on display. And this week, they've officially announced a licensing deal with LEGO, meaning the little plastic building toys of our childhood will very soon be making their way onto our iPhone cases.

Excited yet?

Well, you should be, because the this promises to be one of the coolest iPhone cases in years, especially since you should be able to totally customize them with compatible LEGO pieces.

No word yet though on how functional or shock absorbant they'll be. And we doubt they'll be able to rival the likes of Griffin or OtterBox's full-protection models. But still, we find the kid in us sort of wins out over the practical adult, and the cool factor of these LEGO iPhone cases alone is bound to be worth something to anyone who grew up in the 80s or 90s.